Sillage

Byzance Fragrance Reviews

spotlessmind

This came out in 1987, shortly after the launch of KL, which was my signature scent for years. Must have been a magical time for new fragrances as this one is also something very special and I love nearly every note from top to bottom. Although others are describing it as an "out on the town" scent, to me Byzance is soft, warm, inviting, the kind of scent that encourages nuzzling.

Nov 09 2016

miracleborgtech

Gorgeous glittering "evening out" kind of perfume! Has a powdery background accord that acts as a stage for the dazzling chords of carnation, Turkish rose, ylang-ylang, spices and more. Complex, nuanced and beautiful! Great sillage and longevity. Wearing this to my next silk and jewel bedecked dinner!

Oct 24 2016

Soofiya

I always dreamed of trying byzance,it looks so eightys,so mysterious and finally there it is
A very strong and complex opening.I don't get much aldehydes,it has too much notes and they're all strong and so well blended that I can't identify them individually,all I know is that byzance is truly an oriental spicy,there are lots of spices here blending with tuberose and lots of other florals and vanilla.I find it very interesting,rich and very complex with a mysterious dark vibe but if you ask me that can you wear it in daily life my response is:no
It's one of those pieces of art that I prefer enjoying them when I'm alone at home,trying to discover it's beauty and secrets.it's drydown is softer,less spicy,more powdery but still I can feel that 80's vibe.it's definitely a winter scent and you should be careful not to overdo

Oct 24 2016

adamspira

This perfume brings back my childhood! I don't have a bottle however my mum does, and I remember she wore this all the time when I was younger. I would sometimes even sneak a spray of it because I loved it so much! It very spicy but does have a nice sweet tone to it. In a way it's almost like a "feminine cologne". Definitely not for the "girly" perfume lovers, however more for women who are going for a more sophisticated and sexy personality. Not something i'd personally wear since I do fall in that "girly" category, however I do enjoy smelling this on other people, absolute classic!

I rate this a 7/10, bottle is a bit ordinary (because it's an 80's perfume duh), however in a way I love it since it does bring up my childhood.

Sep 11 2016

Tapinview

I just love spraying a perfume and getting on Fragrantia and reading everything! It's interesting to see aldehyde so prominent in the notes, I get a strong initial whiff but find that note quickly dissipates. It's a white floral oriental with tuberose quite pronounced, and to me a strong vanilla. It has that rose ylang nexus that is as characteristic in fumes of the late C20' as the fruit patch one is now. All treated in a very soft pretty slightly powdery way. Certainly not an eighties powerhouse at all. The green notes are also subtle and persistent. The thing that is striking me now as drydown progresses is how ageless it feels. It could easily pass as contemporary, and is not old lady at all....and I'm an old lady.....the spices emerge, and are really beautiful.

Aug 15 2016

mystica

Amazing.

Totally 1980s glamour. But make no mistake, that's very sophisticated, and at least the EDT version feels like it sits close to skin, whereas the sillage is detectable (to others). It's powdery, soft, clean, and rich. It does smell rich :) Could be the aldehydes, but it smells like a fur to me. Super feminine and graceful. "T" for tackiness cannot apply here. It's super quality. It conveys the message "I know what I am doing" without being domineering or a know-it-all.

Actually, I believe that's the ideal choice for a serious job interview if you happen to attend any. For me that could be a position as a curator maybe in a chic art gallery. But actually, a woman who wears this could easily own the gallery :)

Verdict: Has been found WORTHY in the vintage category for:
"Breaking the bank"
"Hours of internet search to find a deal"
"Passing it on to your children"

They don't make them like this anymore! What a pity because this perfume is "the bomb". Like Ysatis by Givenchy or Byblos this is an epic perfume. I hate to classify fragrances as just "floral" or "fruity" "chypre". To me this scent is an embarrassment of riches a decadent mélange a luxury of perfume. It's as exotic as the name itself: Byzance is the Greek for Byzantium which was the gateway to the East in the Bosporus in Turkey which later became Byzantium and Constantinople the new capital of the Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire) when it was officially Christian and not pagan. It eventually fell to the Muslim Turks of the Ottoman Empire. So with the name of a place with so much important history I was bracing myself for a powerful fragrance. And it really is. It's like a queen a Roman Empress in all her finery, wearing expensive jewelry, a bejeweled crown on her head and a scepter. She is the true power behind the throne as it is her husband the Emperor who listens to her advice and who finds himself incomplete without her in his life. This is a fragrance for the mother of the first Christian Emperor Constantine. This smells like a Roman woman who has found God, who discovered a piece of the True Cross and kept it with her for good luck. This is a mosaic in the Hagia Sophia. The progression of this fragrance is something to behold (or rather to smell). Byzance opens with aldehydes, just really good aldehydes sparkling and magical, feminine and very classic but not quite a No. 5 or No. 22, not those kind of familiar aldehydes. They're just there to start with before turning quickly. The aldehydes become only slightly citrusy and then very spicy. It's got anise, cardamom ginger or cinnamon and basil. Aromatic and spicy, just like a marketplace in Istanbul. The flowers bloom in the middle portion of this performance. I smelled silken carnation, an Oriental rose, a tuberose, heliotrope and iris - in it's form as orris root. Powdery and sweet floral scents. The heliotrope in this perfume is to die for. I love heliotrope as it's my favorite flower. This smells just like a purple floral scent at one point, although it can also smell green because of the lily of the valley note and the green accords. The fragrance lasts for hours and it dries down to a sandalwood and amber that is amazing. Gorgeous fragrant aromatic wood and warm amber. Byzance blew me away. It's not quite an Oriental because it is missing more hardcore Oriental notes like patchouli incense (wish there had been incense like the incense in the Hagia Sophia) or some myrrh. But at times it almost does smell like it has a touch of incense. It has mostly powder though and does not feel even remotely unisex. It's a beautiful queen. It is Oriental because of it's sandalwood and the jasmine. I can't stop smelling myself.

May 25 2016

Kai'elle

Strong powdery (almost musty) aldehyde opening with a hint of carnation and spices. I get absolutely no citrus or green notes. It quickly settles into a beautiful floral blend with tuberose at the forefront tempered by soft rose and an occasional bursts of ylang ylang and anise. I am pleased that the jasmine takes a back seat.

Unfortunately for me I find the mid notes quite short lived and the base notes settle in after about an hour and I am always surprised at how sweet the scent turns at this stage..yet I wouldn't say it becomes all about the vanilla.

On me, this is definitely no powerhouse and certainly nothing to rave about or hunt down again. That being said, if Rochas launched a comeback of this at a reasonable price I would not pass it up. For even though it's a short lived scent on me it does get the imagination running and puts me smack bang in ancient Constantinople and craving warm spiced white wine from a terracotta jug :)

L: Weak
S: Soft

Apr 30 2016

Jernê Knowles

Rocks of Byzance is the kind of scent that autoafirma him as a human being, when he in contact with your skin adorns with you until your last shred of his imposing presence. Say what you will, but when you sticks to Byzance, dominance and power are completely yours and there's nothing you can underestimate. I've never felt anything like its magnificent evolution, anything he can be imperfect, disastrous or something like that, I come to believe that Byzance has its own life, it is he who adapts to you, not you to him, if in the heat it is a good remarkable boy, if the cold he is the best jacket you could use for that station. Its charm begins to look the exoteric / eccentric bottle that bears her, the beautiful violet blue color, and then after the first spray and along with it an explosion of Especarias and aldehydes combined in ineffable harmony that exude grandeur and glory, its charm remains , not around its opening, it still has the aromatic freshness of the basil and the spiciness of cardamom. Then it evolves into a powerful floral referring to luxury soap that I'm not sure what to say that dry down of Byzance, just allow yourself to let go and the feeling that connects us at that stage. I say that Tuberose and Rose stand out more, however, one respecting the other and both being auctioned by Jasmine and Ylang Ylang fresh. Your end is barely enough, because the dry down to stay for many hours, but when he reveals himself back with the chipradas characteristics of consecrated fragrances of the 80's decade, ie a carregadíssima based on musk, sandalwood, vanilla and enough flake cedar to check that closed rustic flavored that fragrances Family Cyprus carry in their memorable farewells. Definitely a timeless fragrance that deserves recognition for what is in action; Morillas NEVER misses it, and I love it!

Word of the day: overwhelmed... (day 95)

Feb 12 2016

RainyDayGirl

I remember being really surprised to see this one referred to as a bit of an "old lady" perfume, since I discovered and loved this in my early 20s... a very young and "trendy" hairstylist who lived in a share house with one of my best friends used to wear it constantly (being her "signature scent"). Anyway I always loved it. Luckily it smelled as good on my skin as it did on hers. Eventually I got around to buying it for myself and have always had a bottle in my fridge ever since (it's now nearly 20 years later).

I love the spicy/oriental fragrance that it settles down to after about 30 minutes after the strong initial floral dissipates, and then that's what lingers for a good many hours. It's a nice lighter spice too - strong ones tend to trigger migraines which is a pain coz I love spicy oriental scents, and hot climates don't tend to agree with those heavier scents either, so this is brilliant blend since it's light enough for hot climates and doesn't cause headaches.

Feb 09 2016

anapana83

A very warm and spicy oriental scent that sits alongside my also spicy bottles of Mesmerize by Avon and Spark by Liz Claiborne. It's harsh on the onset and softens up on the dry-down. It doesn't have enough of an element of sweetness to it for my liking but as this was a hand-me-down bottle, i won't complain. If you don't like incense notes, then this will definitely not be for you. Needless to say, i don't wear it much. However, it's still a fragrance worth looking up for spice-lovers, especially for evening wear.

Jan 16 2016

gracenote-floralspice

Byzance? What can I say? I smelt this for the first time as a teenager and was immediately captivated. It made me think of Turkey, places like Istanbul. A precious and timeless smell, like a coin from the Byzantine age. Like finding something rare, an artefact from an archeological expedition, of course to do with all things Byzantine.
A classic fragrance, timeless. I have the cobalt blue bottle with the round lid, given to me by my husband as an early wedding anniversary present. As he passed away on September 19 2015, and always loved this fragrance on me, I eek it out, like I now do each fragrance he gave me. Thus far, it hasn't turned. When I need to remember the special bond we shared, our rare love and friendship, I reach for Byzance.

A note to agree with christelucas there is nothing old lady and frumpy about stately, refined and dignified. Love the idea of retaining our dignity and refinement. Long live dignity and refinement. Here's to Byzance! Rochas, please bring back to us the vintage formula.

Jan 02 2015

Peachysugarbuns

So good. This style feels timeless to me and I love how long Byzance lasts on the skin and clothing.

Normally I am not a huge tuberose fan, but Byzance features it in a way the appeals to me by calming its bodicious white-floral sweetness with lemony aldehydes and spice from both the kitchen and carnation. Byzance has a boozy facet to it that translates into a bit of a "grape" scent and the drydown features woods and vanilla. Byzance, based on the notes and bottle design, seems like it would be a "heavy" scent, but it's not - it's beautifully full and multi-faceted. This smells like a floral-oriental to me, not a floral-chypre (I think of the style of Lancome Climat when I think of floral-chypre) because of it's sweet "depth" and spice. The drydown is soft and round, yet upholds its initial style.

Byzance is extremely comforting and it really shines in colder weather. Me gusta!

Dec 22 2015

FaunAromatic

This is another perfume over whose demise I regularly beat my breast in mourning. It was a lovely, dry chypre that always smelled like bottled heat to me. Wonderful, wonderful chypre, one of my favorites, and one of the perfumes I always received the most compliments on. The idea of this beauty being discontinued to make way for yet another giggly, trend-of-the-moment celeb concoction just makes me...mad. And this is from someone who likes some of the giggly, trend-of-the-moment concoctions. But why can't we keep the beauties around forever?

Dec 01 2015

Soan

For anybody missing the original Byzance as much as I do, try Vespers by Rougue Bunny Rougue

May 10 2015

Iamagirl

This is my mother's signature and my first perfume.

It is spicy and warm and familiar. I remember at one stage when I was 15 my mother was in hospital and to comfort myself at night I would sleep in her bed. Byzance lingered on the cotton covers of her pillow and soothe me into a carefree sleep.

This is such a special fragrance to me and although I very rarely use it, it is something that has been in my life as long as I can remember. It is a beautiful fragrance and particularly special to me for the sentimentality I feel for it.

If I have a child one day, I hope that my signature will bring them the comfort that Byzance has given me.

May 03 2015

PDC

The opening is well balanced with flowers and green notes. Not cold neither warm and absolutely not sweet (my biggest fear in any perfume). On me it’s rather fresh. The spices are not outspoken but nicely living next to the flowery notes.

But after an hour it starts to get all soapy and sweet. Don’t get any powdery notes and since I don’t get any vanilla yet it might get worse (on me) in the sweet department.

I’ve wanted it for quiet some time but now I’ve got it I find it dissapointing.

Feb 13 2015

juji

I want to try this so much! The notes and "feel" of what I read about thus perfume sound right up my alley. Then again, maybe I shouldn't have a testing since it's fairly unavailable.

Jan 25 2015

guest_

I received this treasure as a gift from an old lady and I have to say this perfume can't be described in any way other than Poetry. It's notes are so elegant and deep. When I put on Byzance I close my eyes and see myself in the year 1015 a.d., walking in the busy streets of Constantinopole, entering a church, wearing soft dark blue fabrics, with golden patterns. When walking inside this temple I hear hymns chanting, I take my shoes off, and feel the soft carpet under my feet, I feel the smell of incense, candles are burning and the sun light barely shines through the stained glass windows. As I move towards the altar I notice vases with roses and jasmine honoring the saints on the walls, I feel I'm in a very special place, very different from anything I know. This perfume is a treasure and I wish so much they would start manufacturing it again. My favorite, my love, my deeply elegant exotic friend.

Jan 25 2015

Alyson welsh

I would love to get this again as I wore it exclusively for 18 years. Rochas please do the decent thing & bring it back!!

Jan 17 2015

Alyson welsh

Why have Rochas taken byzance off the market?? I used this perfume every day for 18 years. I absolutely love it & always received compliments. This perfume holds wonderful memories for me. Please bring it back Rochas.

Dec 19 2014

christelucas

I simply don't understand 'old lady" in description of a fragrance. Does it mean dignified, stately, dressed up as with jewelry, gloves, heels, hosiery? If that is so, we must aspire to the image. When in my girlhood, and then teens. Dressing up or even down meant dressing fresh, bath powder and all that, feeling pretty and presentable. Let's get our civility back (refinement).

Nov 06 2014

Bublegum

I am very lucky since I have never smelled the tuberose in Byzance. For me the aldehydes are very evident. I can smell them just by sniffing the sprayer. Well, afterall, aldehydes was THE THING back in those days. So sad that this was discontinued and you need a fortune to find it these days. It was always smelling something between incense and soap to me and though I loved it. Someone mentioned that it smells similar to D&G. I can say that they do have a similar vibe (they share half of their notes after all), but Byzance is more mysterious. Still, I wouldn't suggested to someone who likes flowery perfumes, since this is a heavy scent and for today standards, someone might even say that this is an "old lady's scent".

Oct 29 2014

muskymoi

The skies opened up and delivered to me an invitation to perfume heaven where I'd spend eternity with Byzance. Quite literally, Byzance is the perfume I would spend my forever with. Any spicy notes are beautifully veiled by an enchanting powder note. And this was discontinued because why? I was lucky to acquire my bottle for the price I did. Byzance don't come cheap. The bottle is a gorgeous cobalt blue and I suspect the juice is a lovely azure shade as well. Rochas has yet to disappoint me. It's up there with guerlain and chanel vintages.

Aug 08 2014

houzi

I'm about to finish my bottle of Byzance EdT. It's one of my favourites now, but I would lie if I said it was love at first sniff. Almost every perfume I had previously owned was something released in the last two decades, the usual fresh/fruity floral suspects, but one day, in an effort to broaden my horizons, I got a bottle of Byzance, which I found sitting at the back of the shelf at a local pharmacy, all dusty and forgotten. She was like nothing I had smelled before, but I had a feeling she would be well worth a little effort to rewire my previously mostly unchallenged tastes.

At first, I wasn't sure about her obvious retro mode, and that special rich and steamy, almost head-spinning, quality it seemed to have. Now I like all of those things. I was also able to figure out early on that Byzance is much more than just a random oldie; rather, it's like a piece of classical art, grand, majestic and timeless.

Apparently, it takes a ton of impressively well-blended notes to create this kind of force. I'm pretty sure I smell tuberose, a little sweaty from all the warmth given out by the spices, melting into the smooth and inviting base of sandalwood, amber and musk.

I can hardly pinpoint anything else, but somehow it doesn't make me feel incompetent:) Byzance is one of those outstanding perfumes I don't have to approach with my mind. I simply let it lead the way, and it always takes me to good places, if maybe a little too mythical, entrancing, and out of my character.

I find that the steamy and carnal facets stand out more in the summer, whereas in winter I can enjoy its powdery and woody side.

Byzance is a seductive beauty and it has certainly taught me something new about my taste, but I don't think I would want to repurchase. There are too many exciting perfumes out there to go for the same one twice:) And given the fact it's discontinued it wouldn't be easy anyway.

Jul 29 2014

LunaTaylor

My mother had this, she had a load of perfumes baack in the day as she got them on discount from where she worked. I remember thinking this one smelled regal, like the Queen of Sheba. I don't know if Id wear it as it could be intimidating but it definitely makes a statement. Id like to smell it again just for fun.

Jul 27 2014

FaunAromatic

Byzance is one of my favourite chypres, and I'll miss it terribly. I'm trying to stock up on it here and there, wherever I can. They don't make them like this anymore.

May 08 2014

fotoula

Majestic,noble,divine!Burnt spices,amber and incense,delicious vanilla,intoxicating carnation,all enshrouded in bold musky tones and infused in rose water!The chypre hint remains but evaporates quite soon on my skin!This fragnance is alluring yet demure,fit for enticing queens who sit on their dignified thrones.A costly infusion which brings east and west together,like in the Byzantine era.

May 06 2014

NiceVULady

Musky4, I so agree with you. I do not like the first fifteen minutes either, but after that I find that its okay, but I wish I had bought something else with the money. I bought it as a blind buy on eBay, because I knew that it had been discontinued. I'm beginning to think that the chypre genre is just not for me.

May 02 2014

Femigirl

How I adore this fragrance. I saw two bottles at a local chemist - they had each been part of a gift set. so I bought one, because I knew it was one of the sought after fragrances (blind buy) I was not disappointed. Its so soft, but engaging and gets better and better as time goes on. It's very unique and needless to say I went back for the second bottle.

Apr 04 2014

Musky4

The first fifteen minutes or so I dislike as it's quite overpowering, but after that Byzance settles to a rich, warm, spicy, feminine, soft yet bold scent. Whilst it smells very of its era, it is also extremely unique in my opinion. Vintage, unusual and very difficult to describe! I still haven't figured out when to wear it or what mood it suits. Very mysterious indeed.

Apr 02 2014

Plrowden

I adore this rich! sultry,seductive fragrance. It is perfect for winter evenings curled up under a blanket hear a fireplace and just indulging in its bliss! Warm, evocative floral with just the right amount of aldehydes to make it hum and enough woody musk to bind it all together into perfection. The longer you wear it the more entranced you will become. The vintage is absolutely magnificent! Wow!
sillage is heavy
Longevity is long lasting

Mar 03 2014

Rizaldo

My gosh, its amazing fragrance.
Unique!

Feb 25 2014

minalistic

Non obstrusive, clear and sophisticated, feminine, light. A touch of heliotrope and white flower makes this masterpiece a divine !! There's no reason not to own this bottle and I'm lucky that I can find them in good price in sites in Japan.

Feb 16 2014

butfly23

I have some of this left over from the eighties.
And I sprayed myself with this the other week when I went to an eighties fancy dress party. It was light and lovely not sweet but perhaps more on the powdery side with a slight spice, But I would say it only lasted a couple of hours. It has been hanging around a couple of decades so I may test a newer bottle if I can get my hands on it.

Feb 15 2014

tterekhova

Just got this from French Connexion and it's REAL!
Somebody from this website said: "It's like having old friend around at all times....".
I have lots of perfumes and nothing compares to good old Byzance. Cost me a fortune though...

Feb 11 2014

finanna

I love the first two hours of Byzance! It reminds me a bit of another long-lost treasure, Guerlain’s Guet-Apens (mixed with Mayotte): opulent swirl of flowers, some incense, spices and amber. Tuberose is the most prominent flower, but in this one it is not animalic or dirty but rather sweet. There is a hint of roses too. But there is no point in trying to dissect the individual notes of this complex harmony, it is much better when enjoyed from your skin.

The flowers get a bit more subdued but they never fade out entirely, although the soapy aldehydes take the main stage during drydown. The last stage of this gorgeous morpher is beautiful, woody floral plushiness that surrounds you like a protective aura.

I do not think that this is dated in any way, but it belongs to a different era of perfumery. Those who do not like the eighties-vibe will not appreciate this. But if you have sniffed sixty-eight modern releases that smell so similar that you cannot remember their names on the next day, this might be the one to revive your nostrils.

The opening is very strong and overall sillage is very good during the entire life span. It literally lasts all day on me. My review is based on a generous sample.

Jan 02 2014

Edee

Praise God, I am still finding forgotten perfumes. I found this beauty with a 90 percent full bottle recently, along with Charlie White and Chloe Narcisse. This is a lovely fragrance, The fragrance is soft and rich smelling. Not in your face, but I promise you this, if someone hugs you while wearing the vintage, they will definitely come back for another snift or two, or three. Very, very nice indeed.

Dec 15 2013

gracenote-floralspice

I still have a bottle of this: a big bold beautiful blue bottle. The fragrance given to me by my husband as a wedding anniversary present. I am eeking it out! It is one of the few fragrances my husband comments on and he is someone with good taste - even if it is me saying this, it is true, as others generally compliment me on clothes, or jewelry he chose for me. The fragrance is certainly not for young girls. There is as the name may lead us to believe, something Byzantine about the fragrance. The experience of this fragrance is beautiful and precious, like beingan archaeologist and looking at a rare Byzantine coin, or some artefact of that nature and of course, an artefact of great value.

Dec 08 2013

aber19

This perfume's strength lies in its rich floral opening, which is superb. It is in the same richness of Hermes Rouge in the bottle. After the next 10 minutes, it fades into a soft lingering smell similar to Sensi from Armani in its strength and sweetness. This fragrance is a comfortable scent to wear because it blended beautifully and works well on my skin. I have sprayed the fragrance on my clothes today and it smells quite soft, than expected. On my skin, I lasted about 6 hours and clothes about 8+ hours. You had to get up close to smell this fragrance after 2hrs. The bottle is truly beautiful, the perfume is expensive, but the quality of perfume is good. Note that this perfume is a vintage, can be very expensive, yet, for floral lovers it is a must.

Nov 23 2013

bond_girl1979

Why oh why oh why do they sometimes discontinue absolute masterpieces? I remember sniffing it on my mother's dresser back in the 80's as a child and totally falling in love with both the scent and the gorgeous bottle. A spicy, woody rich vanilla concoction that definitely transports you to exotic lands of spice and sand! It is so pleasing and warming to the senses, so opulent and fine - like luxurious silk drenched in liquor, vanilla pods, spices and desert air. I can imagine Cleopatra wearing this as a day scent. Byzantine in a bottle. Wherever it is, I want to be there. Rochas, do us a favour make an entire populus happy and bring this back please.

Nov 09 2013

Stephaniejanef

For some odd reason, I owned this in the 1980's and wore it a lot, despite having only been a child at the time. I guess it had been given to my mother and I stole her bottle. I loved this perfume and wore it a LOT! It is a bit disturbing to think that I wore such a sexy and adult fragrance as a child.. and a little funny to think that I was already a fragrance aficionado at such a young age.
How I would LOVE to get my hands on a bottle today. I read someone's suggestion to bring back the vintage fragrances. I totally agree, as I am recently looking to the huge 1980's and 1990's fragrances and consider them timeless masterpieces.

Nov 02 2013

artsyrn

I adore wearing this rich juice! This has a silky,dreamy,salty-sweet,rosy composition that maintains it's presence from beginning to end. Quality for certain...love, love, love!

Sep 27 2013

greenelf

I was one of the "promotional models" who helped launch this scent at Bloomingdales in NYC back in 1987. They gave us identical blue jackets to wear and I had it on for an entire week. I loved it at first sniff! This scent manages to be both crisp and warm and sweet, all at once. It has prescense and style and staying power, even the EDT! It was a fairly typical 80's scent, but I honestly can't think of another fragrance that smells quite like it--like most of Rochas' fragrances it has a unique distinctiveness. This one is a real winner for me!

Sep 04 2013

vanillabean23

My mother used to wear this and I loved it on her. She bought me 100 ml a bottle in the 1990's and I still have less than half a bottle left tucked away in my "perfume storage vault" (fancy expression for cupboard). I must add that I love the bold, blue bottle - it represents the 80's well!

What ever happened to unusual fragrances? There seems to be a massive surge in gourmande fragrances for women, whilst not being a bad thing at all (as I love MANY a gourmande), there's just so many sweet girly girl fragrances out there! Byzance is most definitely NOT a girly girl scent. This is a spicy, woody scent that is crisp, dry and incredibly powerful!

Green upon opening, with citrus overtones and spice, it comes across a little astringent and medicinal. Rose and jamsine linger for a short time whilst sandalwood, amber and glorious and steadfast cedar remain your companion for the rest of this exotic journey. The spice remains throughout, which is wonderful! There is a sweetness here, but it's tamed by the spices and wood. I also found that this fragrance is long lived on my skin and the silage was quite powerful too.

I so wish this was still in production! Rochas peoples, if you're reading this, I haven't tried your new fragrances, but PLEASE think about bringing back some of your older classics as they are just so unusual and intriguing.

Aug 10 2013

alchimia72

What a weird fragrance! In a positive way I mean. It is classified as a Chypre floral, but I detect mainly the floral part:Tuberose and jasmine in particular. I detect the spices but it's not so chypre from my point of view. Well blended. Another fragrance I like of this brand, obviously discontinued!!!!

Aug 08 2013

estherica

Out of sentimentality I got a vintage miniatur bottle on ebay. This scent is ...80ies...childhood and my mother before going out to me. And I remember how I admired the bottle on her vanity...

Aug 07 2013

nakedcity

@Peachply HEAR HEAR!! *clinks champagne flute*

Jul 07 2013

calyx93

Perfect blend of tuberose, incense and musk. Nothing else compares.

Jun 23 2013

Iris_it

Byzance is a perfume made in HEAVEN . One of the ( few ) most magnificent fragrances I have ever smelled in all my life and it is the one I would keep if I had to renounce every other bottle . The parfum concentration is a concerto composed of three different parts , one more beautiful than the other one . Its drydown is just ... sweety wonderful !

It is so rich that it is difficult to define it . Here it is considered a Chypre floral but it is deliciously spicy and ambery sweet , slightly powdery , it is an "everything" which gives birth to such beautiful melodies . I am in love with Byzance :-)

It makes me think of a mosaique whose numerous tiny pieces used with great skill turn into a perfectly composed image ... yes , a Byzantine mosaique !

After smelling this you can throw away 95% of the newborn fragrances without regrets and only really care of vintage perfumes .

If I had to paint a silk dress dedicated to Byzance , it would remember Klee and Klimt paintings , gold swirls and ( cobalt :-) blue tiny details .

Jun 14 2013

ChypreAnn

Decades ago, as an adolescent, I ordered this fragrance and Byblos from a catalog. They were my first ever blind buys, and I did great: I love the way this smells. I recently received a decant in a giveaway, and it took me back! The first spray is a BIG burst of spices and green, but to me it's woody/spicy. It's invigorating and exciting, but the best is the soapy clean drydown. It's what I loved about it as a teenager, and it's what I love now. All the "clean" fragrances, the Clean brand and the soapy J.Los (which, admittedly, I like!), wish they could be this. Interestingly enough, I've never smelled the floral notes in this perfume. I had thought that a quarter of a century later, my chemistry would be different. Not so!

Jun 11 2013

9-na

Vintage, a present. This scent's a very special memory the giver and I share. Summer. Grandfather bought and brought us those nice little sweets we wanted to try so much, and we were eating them in the evenings on the bench by out country house. The air was a bit dewy, a little fresh, coldish, but we didn't feel cold at all, of course, and the air was filled with that wonderful smell of flowers coming to us from the garden, warm, dense, and so beautiful, and mixed with the dew, the touch of cold in the air and our talks on the bench. Oh, the memories...

May 20 2013

oliseeger

I'm looking for this one for some time now, once it is really hard to find here in Brazil. Today I had the happiness of buying it from a small shop for a good price.
Well, I had in my memories something smooth and sensual (my aunt used this and gave me, when I was a kid, the empty bottle for my collection). But it turns out that on my skin it is real soap (maybe due the rose). Also, the cedar note is kind of to strong in this one.
Actually it isn't special at all!
Maybe I give it another try some other day.

May 06 2013

nofixedstars

Byzance is a genre-bender...definite elements of the chypre, woven with a distinct oriental character. A very successful blend, to my mind. The opening has an aldehydic cascade, quickly succeeded by deep, rich, animalic musk. Then it warms up with spices and a whole bouquet of florals, followed by woods and amber. There is an almost Shalimar-like hint of lemon and vanilla. Finally, a bit of green appears, and the symphony is complete.

It wears well---although strong at first, it mellows pretty quickly, seeming to sink into the skin, but not losing character or becoming too faint. The chypre-oriental duality remains throughout wearing. Altogether a rich, even opulent perfume---such a shame that it was discontinued.

May 01 2013

Jurisprude

I don't know why Byzance has been discontinued. It's been my signature perfume for 20 years. I miss it. I miss the gentleness and strength...I miss the familiarity of an old friend. Few things in my life are constant....but Byzance has been.
As I look on as my last bottle dwindles...I come to the realisation I must move on.
Yet it's a great perfume. Arabian nights....or my horse jumping that higher fence. The feeling of victory when I approach a finish line.... and you finally wipe out the sweat from your forehead....the smell of an old friend invading your senses....as your wrist approaches your face.
That's what Byzance has meant. I do hope it comes back. If it doesn't....well that's life. That's what happens....Life changes and moves on. As I search for another friend...I say goodbye to my old one. And will always remember fondly this perfume. My husband's reaction? To try and look for another one that smelled similar by looking for its chemical composition online....my bloke liked it too!

Apr 12 2013

Peachply

I find this reformulation so annoying, whenever I've loved something from the past I can never be sure what I'm getting now!
Very frustrating because I loved this fragrance and would get it again only I'm not sure I'll like it now...

I would like to outlaw/ban reformulations

There is absolutely no need for it. Everyone hates it!

I feel very strongly when a fragrance is created for better or worse that is it's ultimate form/ the original formulation the creators decided upon is it. No need to change or improve on anything they already did it! If you want to make ANOTHER fragrance reminiscent of it then go ahead....

Stop the madness.

Apr 05 2013

tterekhova

This was my Signature Scent for years (from age 21 to 25). I bought it in UK in 1995 and wore it endlessly. When bought it again in NY airport (not Duty free, just a weird counter with discontinued perfumes) few years ago was very disappointed as the scent was remotely the one I used to love.

Threw the bottle away as it was causing me more pain than pleasure and almost succumbed to temptation to buy it again online. Again, wondering either it's a poor imitation or I grew up and feel it differently.

Mar 22 2013

hippongo

I miss u so much! :(

Mar 14 2013

Le_Coeur_Gothique

Oh my Sister,oh my Bride,
thou art a garden barriered...
A mystic wave,a fountain sealed...
Thy bosom,there it lies,
a turkish rose heaven...
Fruited and heavy with the most
delightful scented wonders...
Aye,with heliotrope and musk...
With cardamom and basil...
With every sort of jasmine sighs...
With cedar and with tuberose...
And all the sweetest balsam trees...
Oh fountain of my gardens,
thou art a singing spring
flowing thy lilting path
from the Cappadocian mountains...
Colours of sea,colours of sky
with golden sun embellished...
Constantinople bows with awe
before thy divine beauty...

Mar 14 2013

ranchorita

I was shopping for a gift for a much beloved cousin in 1988, and I came across this fragrance. I teetered momentarily on the edge of buying it for myself, but ultimately did the generous thing. I've always wondered if she liked it, used the whole bottle, or was secretly horrified by my selection for her. I might prefer not knowing.

This scent is bewitching. Loved it.

Feb 27 2013

cjstone2000

2/21/2013 - I recently bought a small sample bottle of the Byzance perfume from an internet provider and the fragrance is not even close to the amazing scent I remember. The perfume is overpowering, even a tiny drop and then it fades after a few hours with no lingering notes. I'm not sure if I really got the original perfume in this sample bottle, if it's been tampered with, if it's gone stale over time or if the perfume has a different chemistry than the eau de toilette. I remember a heavenly scent that lasted all day, so much that I've been seeking it out. Sadly, that's not what I received in this latest bottle.

Feb 21 2013

smelling_gr8

Mmmm...WOW...this is surely heaven on earth!
The opening is slightly reminiscent of Sacrebleu, in tems of spicy floral fruity scent, but then it turns powdery and boy it IS powdery and spicy classy very airy powder, not at all chalky. Amazing longevity and projection from little amount, shame it is discontinued. The bottle itself is a masterpiece and the juice is amazing purple colour. I am so lucky to own it.

Jan 28 2013

vintage_scent

Boy...this is a tough one to wear. The beginning is...to much. If I can give any advice on this fragrance it is to use a VERY slight of hand. Also I would spray it on at least 30 mins before walking out the door. This is probably one of those fragrances that is best to spray in the air and walk through. I wore this today and for the first hour it clashed with EVERY strange smell that came along. I have never had another perfume do that.

After it starts to settle it mellows into a nice white floral/spicy/powdery/oriental floral. It is kind of like White Shoulders on acid. Believe me, this one wears you...It is very lovely when worn lightly.
1980's. Exotic. A time when perfumes made a real statement.

Jan 25 2013

krmarich

I have an unusual history of Byzance. I found it on closeout in 1992 and gave the bottle to my mother. She couldnt wear it and passed it to a friend. I never had the chance to sample it.

I found a mini today online. The bottle is like those "evil eye" charms so popular in modern Istanbul. Cobalt blue is used all over the Mediterranean basin. It was common to see it on Roman warships. The origin comes from ancient Egypt and the Eye of Horus. Its strange how time changes the meaning of things. Indeed, Byzance is now legendary as its bottle. Its exotic, yet oddly familiar and ever endearing.

I generally find classic tuberose my least favorite note in fragrance. Jardins des Bagatelle is the only way I enjoy it until now. Byzance bursts open with a very vocal aldehyde and tuberose that for the first few minutes, can overwhelm.

Then a voluptuous rose and jasmine note take hold and pulls you in and wont let go. After a few hours, it meanders into a warm, sacred place that your heart will hold dear.

Its really a floriental, yet the catagorization is irrelevant today. Its a little bit of everything, hence its Byzantine character. My description could wander on and on, yet everyone below takes care of it for me. Thank you all. I am in revered company!

Rochas was one of the most respected perfume only houses of the 20th century. Indeed Macassar, Mystere, Lumiere, Byzance, Alchemie and Tocade commanded major attention before it all disappeared in 1999. I miss this house the most...

Nov 29 2012

julaur

It smells like my mom, I love it.

Nov 03 2012

LeggysMum

I had completely forgotten that I'd ever owned it, until today browsing a fragrance shop, I saw this familiar scent.
It was a gift from a male friend to myself and both my housemates...he brought it back from overseas... and I adored it (though not him...he was just a lovely friend...see my Drakkar Noir review)
I was in my youth and its fragrance made me feel older, mature, and sophisticated....(do you remember waaaay back when you actually wanted to appear older...long gone days...lol!!!) I remember its warmth and mystery, but sadly not its exact scent... I wish I could find my old bottle, just to sniff it again...sigh, memories of my youth
A must try on scent...not for everyone, but a gem for sure

Oct 18 2012

mystica

Byzance is one of the most soapy fragrances I ever smelt. That's just a neutral statement, it only takes the mood to wear it.

I understand, some people can't see the connotation between it's name (Byzance) and smell. However it takes me only to imagine the mosque (or the old basilica of) Hagia Sophia in Istanbul -which was a central building during the Byzantian Era- so as to appreciate -in line with my perception- why the perfume is named as such.

Here you musn't expect to smell an oriental, spicy, Middle Eastern type of fragrance. Instead, just the right amount of cleanliness and powderiness mix with spices and incense in Byzance. I can't quite verbalize it, but yes, that's the very smell which you can easily imagine filling the interiors of the gorgeous Hagia Sophia. It's also not hard to visualize a royal lady -back then- smelling like it.

Due to the tuberose note, Byzance has also an aspect which resembles Dior's Poison; but the two are certainly different fragrances.

I recommend any serious collectors or perfume lovers to include Byzance in their collection. It does worth.

Aug 22 2012

suhaesa

a strange mysterious story ..it has a tale of its own unlike any other ..you can always recognise it from so many other perfumes and its scents linger in your memory for years and years,its unforgettable,,and has a history and a story to tell.its deep just like its deep dark blue glass that hides its opaque mysterious nature within ..its one of those perfumes that i will never forget although i did not fall head over heels for nor hated it was unique in its own place not too shabby nor chique ye it had a st=rong character .and a solid background.

rating 4.3 out of 5

Aug 02 2012

Sabrinauh

I tried Byzance for the first time 7-8 years ago after coveting it for so long. Find it to be well balanced and it melds with my chemistry exquisitely. My initial impression is one of soft fruits, tuberose and fresh aldehydes. The drydown notes are subtly rendered as refined sandlewood is blended with vanilla and musk. This composition has a magnificent trail. Opulent, sensual, and it is definitely a fragrance that makes people turn and wonder "what is she wearing?"

Jul 15 2012

PerfumeLove2

Does anyone know what year was Byzance EDP reformulated?
Also, is there anyone who kept original EDP (formula) bottle and its box? How does the outer box look exactly (compare to the newest reformulated version)? I do not remember those details...so, if anyone could help me clarify and separate reformulated from original--I would truly appreciate it.
I had original EDP bottle and the I remember for sure that "the plate" with Byzance on it was kind of GOLD, definitely not silver tone, also the pink satin ribbon was just that--all satin (not stretch as I see on some of the bottles) and? it did have mini "Byzance" seal covering the tie area...
Is there anyone who still has the expertise/knowledge of this bottle and subject? : )

Jul 03 2012

Migalex

To me there are no words to say how astonishingly beautiful this perfume is. For many years it was my absolute favourite. The only thing is that, although I think the later formulation still deserves that comment, the quality of the perfume was downgraded. It was much more sophisticated before, absolutely divine. The only negative point was that for me as the wearer it was too feeble. Nevertheless, the other people kept smelling it even at a distance. The reformulation is stronger, but the scent is not so special. It is sweeter and more common. I do not like it nearly as much. It was more metalic before, more out of the world of common experiences, something people would identify straightaway as a very good perfume. The first thing I like about it is the aldehyds soapiness, really well tempered by the other notes, because it is not overwhelming as in other aldehydic perfumes, it is sharper but in a very subtle metalic way. Although I do like strong perfumes, the subtlety of this one, because the projection was great nevertheless, is another quality I do appreciate about Byzance. And I like everything else about this perfume, including the bottle and the colour of the perfume. The original bottle produced colour effects due to the colour of the perfume, changing colour depending on the angle you looked through. It is a big loss this one to have been discontinued. Thank God I stockpiled several bottles before that happened and still have several bottles. Because though I think the original was superior, I admire very much the reformulation as well. To me Rochas had the most beautiful perfume collection in the world: Byzance, the original Lumiére, Mystére, the original Femme and Madame Rochas.

Jun 15 2012

paleface

What could I say? There is plentiful of everything, spices, flowers, wood - even some fruits in the opening. Byzance is like a marketplace from "Thousand and one night". I recognize A LOT OF vanilla. But surprise - in spite of it and other spices the scent is somehow dry, not too sweet (but rich and plump certainly). And what surprises even more, everything found there is in good order like pyramids and neat piles on table - nothing stands out, nothing disturbs your eye because of the presentation. It is very difficult for me to analyze Byzance, the horn of plenty.

But this powerful blend from 1980's can be too much for many people. Sillage in BIG and longevity LONG. Be sure to test it before buying; nowadays this elixir is expensive, telling that it still has a lot of friends...

May 21 2012

almondcookie

I'm in aussie so it's early morning here. I just had a dream that i saw a vintage bottle of byzance on a wooden chest of drawers similar to the one I have, but it wasn't in my room. In fact I do not know which room it was. How strange? I haven't thought about byzance in months. I wonder what this means?

So I got up, went straight to my perfume shelf to sniff my perfumes. When i sniffed organza indecence I was quite upset that it had been discontinued. What Now? Does this mean when I'm done with what's left of the 30ml bottle, I will start having dreams about organza indecence. Somedays I suspect that some wealthy duchess fell in love with these perfumes, bought the right to them and told the designers or perfumers to discontinue them.

Mar 21 2012

yvankraft

Tuberose and incense lead you through old alleys of Constantinople. Like in a private reverie, submersion into your own unconscious Arabian nights. Beautiful and unforgettable.

Mar 14 2012

3469hobbes

Lovely stuff. Still have a bottle - keep it in the box in a dark cupboard when not in use. You only need a spray and the scent really lasts - it is the type of perfume that you can smell on clothes months later. Heady and more fruity than I usually go for, but '80s'. I loved the bottle and colour scheme when it was first around which is why I bought it - bright pink and electric blue shades with gold - fab!

Feb 19 2012

ana sofia.patricio

I miss this scent so bad!!! Bring it back, rochas people, not reformulated!

Feb 16 2012

eilismaireg

I managed to sneak a good dab of this at an antiques market today, for review (it was just too much money for a 5ml bottle!!)
I must agree that this baby would fly off the shelves - it's a big loss to us who remember it so fondly. It's a big musk/amber/incense which is dry and almost salty like sweaty skin. I find it quite a thoughtful and mysterious fragrance, which makes it an absolute winner in my book. What a shame that Rochas discontinued its fabulous fragrances like Byzance, Mystere and Lumiere - what were they thinking?!

Feb 12 2012

Addicted2byzance

Seriously, this perfume. If Rochas brings this back it will fly of the shelves. It takes a scent for me to fall for it. If there is any scent close to this i will glady try it out for consolation and not a replacement....but oh how i miss thee my Byzance.All i have now is you at the bottom of the bottle, for me to snif every now and then when i feel nostalgic.
So i have broken the rule this 2012 april...sprayed a little and feel guilty, if I get tempted next time might be the last spritz, please Rochas bring back this perfume even as a LIMITED EDITION can do for now.

Feb 11 2012

calyx93

Got my hands on a vintage 15ml purse spray - and I'm assuming this is the vintage formula since the box only lists alcohol, water, fragrance, capric triglyceride and some colors - not your typical long list of today's versions of older frags.

Upon the first spritz on the back of my hand, I knew it was a winner. A gorgeous swirl of languid florals spread out before me on a bed of strong musk, incense and amber. It somehow manages to accomplish a feat of smelling like a chypre and oriental simultaneously - the incense really takes a large role too. Within the first hour, I noticed something almost like nag champa in the mix too - but the musk. OMG - it's strong - really strong. And I like it :)

Byzance is also quite similar to Salvador Dali parfum and parfum de toilette. Smelled side by side, they seem to be very related and follow a very similar development on the skin - but Byzance has a much more friendly and less formal feel with a lovely sillage. Good gosh, the musk stays on fabric for DAYS - and it's very diffusive. For an experiment in diffusiveness, I left my office for an hour and came back smelling Byzance as if another person was wearing it my absence. This was from ONE spray to the chest about five hours prior!

I now understand why Byzance is being sought out in its original formulation - it belongs in any serious perfume enthusiasts wardrobe most definitely.

Feb 08 2012

Portia Turbo

I received a 4ml today. Put it on and MEMORIES!!
This was the household girls perfume for a while as we were growing up. the house was awash with this glorious scent. YUMMY

Jan 31 2012

Guest_Giannahazagunaka Buddhizt

If this, like others ..were ever ''brought back'' it would most certainly have to be reformulated. Notes , individually change over time... so you might actually get a truer scent to the original by reformulating than by keeping it exactly the same. As sad as it is, nothing stays the same everything constantly changes.. weather that be the way a flower smells or an extract or even the vintage perfume itself... it's never quite the same as the new/unopened original. Even the vitnage bottles themselves change over time from light, heat, cold, air that gets into the bottle each time it's sprayed. Even how full / empty a bottle is can change the original scent. So I say have an openmind, and appreciate reformulations for what they are, and usually what they are is the closest most can hope to get to the original scent. That or nothing? I prefer the latter!

Nov 30 2011

D_D_T_L_V

I feel I'm not quite old enough to wear it.
It's an "old lady's perfume" in a good way, if that makes sense. I love to smell it on other people, but since the only 3 women who wore this regularly around me were my grandmother, doctor and a friend of my grandmother's (all well past their 60s, or sadly deceased)... I can't imagine the sweet powder drydown on myself before I turn 60. Which will be exactly 30 years from now. I don't even know whether this kind of old-fashioned fragrance will be socially acceptable by then. :-P

Nov 29 2011

Mellyhelly

Byzance smelled like nothing else. I cannot even point out similarities. A deep intense sultry mix of so many notes, floral for sure but also very oriental and very longlasting. Not a daytime scent IMO.
Then it disappeared from perfume stores, at least where I live. No Rochas anymore.
I still noticed it in a few international duty-free some years ago, then nothing at all.
Many people liked it. I have a feeling (or fear?) that one day or another they will come out again with a "Byzance" clearly re-formulated and no Byzance anymore.

SURPRISE, SURPRISE!!!
I just found two NEW bottles for sale at a price I couldn't pass up. I've sprayed liberally twice today-once for church, the other just for me. I might just spray again before dinner and Mystery Theater on PBS tonight. Then again tomorrow, and tomorrow...

I'm olfactory challenged-I can't distinguish many individual notes-all I know is the Coty's Le Chypre and Rocha's Byzance have in their time turned my world upside down with their bouquets and offerings.

HEAVEN ON EARTH :)

Sep 25 2011

querelle

BRING BYZANCE BACK. AND PLS NOT REFORMULATED.

Aug 27 2011

stelladoro

An elegant, opulent, complex fragrance. I agree, masterpieces should be enjoyed by everyone, not discontinued as with some fragrance houses.

Aug 27 2011

snowbunny007

Another chypre that I adored...now gone forever.

Aug 05 2011

theconnection

Our customers would kill for a bottle & yes due to stupidity on P&G's part it's now gone...

The stupidty is that fact that established scents like Byzance or Madame Rochas (EDP) sell themselves & need NO advertising due to a large & loyal customer base.

New is not better, on that note by introducing new fragrances more often all they do is damage the RRP real value on the marketplace.

Guerlain & Chanel are able to charge & hold top dollar values to their almost never changing fragrances, it's a lesson to be learnt by lesser brands...

Jul 23 2011

Maeva

I simply adore this fragrance. It's as full of mystique as it is of rich sensuality. It's creamy, romantic, decadent, incensey, deep, and fascinatingly mysterious. Like the glorious Byzantium from antiquity, Byzance has the characteristics of a melting pot, it embodies the fusion of different cultures, the fusion of Europe and Asia, of the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, too, and in the same ambiguous way it features and blends notes that are distinctive of different olfactory groups (is Byzance really a Chypre floral, or rather a spicy oriental, or even an aromatic scent, as some reviewers have stated below?).
Byzance and its sister fragrance Byzantine share the same solemnly beautiful bottle. If Byzance's intensely cobalt-blue bottle reminds us of the mysteries of night, Byzantine's golden bottle could evoke the luminosity of the sunny Bosphorus and the golden mosaics on the walls of Byzantine churches. Indeed, both border on mystic bliss for me, and above all Byzance. All the enigmas from the Orient and its ancient civilizations seem to emanate from its blue bottle. The inscrutable secrets of time let themselves be glimpsed for a second the moment we apply this superb fragrance to our pulse points. Ancient, yes. Enjoying Byzance is now a matter of archaeology and many of us will mourn its absence forever. Being a lover of archaeology myself, I'm treasuring my only remaining bottle as if it was a Byzantine balsamarium! Why did Rochas have to discontinue this enthralling creation, and keep launching offensively shallow fruity scents like the new Muse? It's a shame that Procter & Gamble show such little sensitivity to the art of perfumery!

Jul 06 2011

olga1780

With all the fuss around this perfume I just had to have it no matter what. I really lucked out by having won an almost full 3.4 oz bottle for $ 34.00
Very elegant floral aldehyde, but my first thought was I already have something like that. Although not exactly the same, but it reminds me a lot of red D&G, which I really love. So if you can't find it at reasonable price, no need to go broke ....try D&G instead.

Jul 03 2011

meg1969

Fruity floral lovers will not be interested in this one. This fragrance is one of my absolute favorites. A contradiction...warm and cool at the same time, creamy, almost waxy feeling to it, with intermittent bites of something sharp (in a good way), spicy, smooth, subtle but not a wall flower by any means. It says Ta Da! I am here! but not in an overwhemlming 80's way. Excellent year round, but probably best in summer. Lovely, unique, sophisticated, and very sexy. Different than any perfume I have ever tried. Smells different each time I wear it. I love it. Hard to find, but I just found out fragrance x is selling it for 39.99, so you don't have to pay outrageous prices on the online auction sites. I am stocking up!

Jun 20 2011

puppynose

So beautiful! Warm, graceful, elegant, smooth, unique, a bit of an incense feel but not even a hint of the nag champa or smokey scratchy kind of incense. Nothing screeches or offends- not even at the opening. Enough spice and herbal notes to waiver into more than one fragrance "category"- a touch more oriental than typical chypre floral, not herbal enough to be an aromatic, but enough to temper the florals and spices for a while. The spices are of exquisite quality and develop as the opening fades. Byzance is a treasure- an example of great perfumery. I am grateful to be able to still have some.

May 25 2011

Sarah Bas Eleazar

an if you like a scent of incense store, it is the right thing!

May 23 2011

Sarah Bas Eleazar

This is an amazing perfume! It's my right kind of scent, very pleasant, an intense floral, a set of notes happy and harmonious.It is indispensable, necessary, fabulous!

May 16 2011

passionata20

This is my second review for Byzance.
Today i tried it after the shower on a sunny spring day and was positivly surprised by how good actually it smells. Still i am scared off by the beginning, but then after it´s gone a lot of spices and carnation in the middle are very beautiful. Guess it is more spring-autumn fragrance, since last time i have tried it during winter. And now i smell the roses on the drydown also. N
Now it´s like from zero to hero for me. Back then i didn´t like it but now i like it a lot. A very beautiful evening fragrance. I wouldn´t wear it at a daytime, but definitly at evening time. So glad i didn´t part with my bottle of vintage EDP. :)

May 02 2011

Natalie467

This did not smell good at all upon first spritzing, I thought my bottle had turned-a vintage EDT. Scrubbing was not an option, I was on my way out the door & didn't have time.

Byzance settled down and smells lovely, a creamy and rich combination of subtle spices, white florals and roses, which dry down into a resinous delight of amber, vanilla and sandalwood. It's kind of light and dark, with the spice, citrus & floral at the beginning, and the deep and richness of the dry down.

Could have been the basil that was turning me off in the top notes, I usually do not like that smell, unless it's in the kitchen. I don't know, something smelled unpleasant in the beginning. I'm so glad I gave this a chance and didn't scrub. A keeper.

Mar 30 2011

passionata20

30. march 2011

I have tried an EDP so far and i must admit that i get some similarities with original formula of "Ysatis" by Givenchy, only this one is more spicy. I remember when many years ago i tried this one it was also quite harsh for me and it still is. The opening is very much like soap (i guess mixing carnation with a lot of citruses is not a good idea). And it stays like that for a while and then simply dissapeares. I cannot detect any rose notes.

Mar 30 2011

Yamba1

I was fortunate enough to receive a generous sample of Byzance today from Sophiii.

How have I managed to pass over this treasure before now? I am a sucker for the 1980's big statement perfumes, so you can imagine my delight upon inhaling this luscious sultry number. As I so often do when sitting with my husband, I presented my arm for his assessment and expected the usual 'that's nice/awful/like speaking to yourself...' response.

"That's Byzance", he says

I glare at him. "How do YOU know that?....and WHO wore it?"

"Never mind...but, once smelled, never forgotten"

Well, that has to be the shortest relationship I've ever had with a perfume. Too bad, someone got there first!

Mar 21 2011

gazelle

DISCONTINUED!!!!
WHY???????
Forever a favorite.

Jan 18 2011

TankGirl

I'm quite disapointed with this one.
It reminds me of tiolet cleaner, its really fresh, really summery and somewhat salty. After a while the flowers appear and Byzance gets better but still not my thing.

Sillage: Good
Lasting Power: Very Good

4/10

Dec 06 2010

Sheva

I am an Istanbulite born and raised. This indeed is "Istanbul in a bottle" as one gentle member put so well.

How else can I describe the hue of the sky as it gets ready for the morning prayer over the Bosphorus than pointing at Byzance’s beautiful bottle… The warm sensation that wraps you up when you breathe in the unmistakable scent of Istanbul, is captured in this concoction with all its spices and florals.

I’m in my early 30’s now and I used to wear this as a 16 year old. Although I loved it, I moved on to other fragrances in time, I’ve almost thought of Byzance as something I’ve outgrown. And they decided to discontinue it. Now that I can find the EDP or the perfume with incredible difficulty, I am ready to mourn the loss of yet another favorite. Maybe Long Lost Perfumes will come out with an original recipe Byzance one day, but what about that beautiful bottle? Why haven’t I saved at least an empty bottle of this lovely fragrance which actually was my carefree youth...

Nov 10 2010

Mad-Lainey

It is the only Rochas creation I literally cannot stand.
It smells like a grandma's coffret in the loft full of clutter and rotten flowers.
Absolute NO NO - heavy and sickening.
When I sprayed it for the first time, my mouth started to water but in a way as to give you a morning sickness.
I wil never purchase it again.
The aldehyde does not seem to be in the top notes - it is all over the place, the only note I can smell.
While I am deeply in love with Rochas fragrances, Absolu, Byzantine, Aquawoman, Alchimie, I would never ever wear Byzance even if it was the very one, only and last fragrance in the universe.
Big time Stinker!

Nov 01 2010

guest_evel

The original Byzance is no longer with us. The original EDP, as shown in the second picture above with the gold round label, has been discontinued for many years now. The current EDT is a pale version of what this rich and voluptuous scent once was. Powdery, sweet, feminine, was back then and is still a huge HG for me.

Nov 01 2010

guest_valih

The one!
Unique and unforgettable.
Why Byzance is no longer available?

Nov 01 2010

aromaminx

a beautiful evening fragrance in colder climes. i haven't worn it for a couple of years.but i got lots of compliments when i did.

Jul 17 2010

Roma27

Had to have it in my collection as it's an excellent winter fragrance. Makes me feel all warm & fuzzy inside. The jasmine & cardamom is what catches my nose all the time. It has indeed become like an old endearing friend.

Jul 10 2010

missk

Byzance is almost the perfect olfactory equivalent to Byzantium, a poem by William Butler Yeats.

It captures the essence of a long lost city, ancient and artistic. Byzance opens with heady florals, exotic spices, zesty lemon and powdery aldehydes. This opening is very strong, very 80's and very me.

Towards the heart, particularly with the entrance of the white florals, Byzance reminds me somewhat of Passion by Annick Goutal. Byzance is however, more powdery and more lemony.

As the heart settles, the florals, most notably the jasmine, become cleaner and slightly soapy. Due to this fragrance's ever-changing nature, I'd say that Byzance is quite complex.

This fragrance is very feminine, without a doubt. However, with that being said, this fragrance is womanly in an old-fashioned, bouquet of flowers, cooking spice and church incense sort of way. Byzance is essentially the scent of a woman from the ancient times - perhaps even the fragrance of Cleopatra herself, if I let myself dream so.

It is a pity that this fragrance is becoming increasingly harder to find these days. I will be truly disappointed if Rochas decide to pull this fragrance from the market.

Jul 06 2010

delphine67

Nice scent, but really to heavy for me. I like the spicyness though

Jun 10 2010

Action

ohhh, this one is and always will stay in my top 10! I have the vintage and the new one. I just adore them BOTH!!!
An oriental MUST have!!
Good luck!
Action

Mar 26 2010

geegee

I bought this & wore it last night for bed...my boyfriend loved it!!

I only bought it due to the reviews below & i have to say im well impressed. Im a fan of Rochas anyway but this is my new favourite.

Its sexy, warm & sensual. It made me feel the urge to slip in to something 'less comfortable'.

Its a strong fragrance to begin with but soon settles into a warm powdery, musky vanilla with great lasting power on me too.

Fantastic.

Feb 25 2010

truffles

I'm just a sucker for a beautiful blue bottle. Bought this without a proper smell and have worn it a couple of times.
I would say it's highly floral, can't detect any chypre and I love chypre type perfumes.
There is a very slight hint of spice - perhaps a hint of cinnamon and some kind of spicy floral note.
It somehow puts me in mind of Victoria Beckham's Intimately Night (not good) and for me, a strong and strange plastic/playdoh type element predominates througout the wearing.
Overall, I'd say this perfume smells a bit cheap. It's not really awful but it's just not really 'me'.
I'm going to give it away.

Dec 16 2009

Action

Just adorable!!! Rochas fragrances: can you think of a better deal than this? Top quality perfumes, sophisticated all the way and a very very good price! You just have to have them all, without exception.

I love making mosaics, a very Byzantine
era ara, I love the perfume for this
reason, it kind of takes me back
in time!

Sarah

Dec 04 2009

ignis

I remember this fragrance... my mother used to wear it in the early 90s, when i was a few years away from my beginning of puberty.

As a young girl, i naturally snuck into my parents' bedroom just to get a whiff of their perfumes/colognes.

When i first laid my eyes on this dark blue bottle, i expected a thick, heavy scent, but was surprised otherwise, to find a pleasant mystical, creamy aroma that tickled my senses and sent my imagination back in time.

Despite the fact that i was a young girl at the time, this frag seemed to exude intelligence and embodied an excerpt of civilization's history in a bottle. Kind of like Hathor mentioned: Istanbul in a bottle.

Despite the fact that i've never been to Turkey, i could still manage to understand the essence of this aroma; probably because, at the time, we were living in a Mediterranean country, and by that age i was quite aware of the general history of the surrounding Mediterranean cultures.

Just one whiff of this intricate redolence would spawn images in my mind of the clinking noises made by exquisite copper and gold jewelry worn by elegant ladies, while dancing in joyous nightly festivities...

I could also detect Church-like incense qualities, as Tessture mentioned. In my mind, i'd imagine the incense that was burned during the ancient and sacred nightly rituals/festivities.

This perfume is truly magical. I think i might just purchase it for myself.

EDIT: As others have already mentioned, this should not be classified as Chypre Floral. I'd say it's more of an Oriental Spicy or Oriental Floral.

Oct 27 2009

milena

This fragrant took some time to grow on me .Its one of those fragrances where it depends the mood your in.For me it is like that.There are days when I'd wear it and feel totally sexy and romantic and there are days where I wish I hadn't put the perfume on.Don't know why it is like that. But the fragrant it self is wonderful.

Oct 04 2009

instantjim

I bought this one for my wife today to celebrate the birth of our daughter (yesterday). I wanted something elegant and a little different to what she has already got. Her favourites are Chanel no 5 and Shalimar. I think this really complements the other two in being different, but not so different. Somehow it seems appropriate as a scent to give to celebrate the birth of a baby.

Sep 07 2009

lilinah

Has Byzance suffered reformulation? I've been wearing it since it was "born" and it has never smelled strongly fruity or lemony to me from the bottle or on my skin. It seems almost a bit... salty... when i first apply it.

I don't wear it often because it is also rather... powdery... and powdery perfumes are not my favorite. Additionally, the vanilla stands out a bit strongly, and while i don't mind vanilla in a blend (I adore Shalimar), i don't like fragrances that are dominantly vanilla.

But Byzance has always transcended the powdery and the vanilla because of the complexity of its formula, the mix of sweet and spicy, floral and woody. And when i'm in the right mood to wear a lighter perfume than usual, i love its gentle fresh scent.

Aug 26 2009

Zaleska

Hmmmm...
It's an oppulent, charming lemony-powdery-vanilla smell.

I can easily put it into my list of favourite "classy" scents (in which I include "Wings" from Giorgio Beverly Hills and "Lou Lou" from Cacharel).

DOUBT: is it REALLY a chypre floral?

Aug 26 2009

Aalia

Chypre? Really? Well, I do love Chypres
but in no way had that word crossed my mind while testing it today. Other words such as...unique, fantastic, interesting, and "whoah, great stuff". At first I thought of candy, soap, sweetened fruits, and bath soap..then I thought of incense, hippie shops, and my favorite groovey notes, and a touch of sheer or light powder-never overbearing here. I tested the EDT. I wish it was a bit stronger and longer lasting..however my skin seems to make almost all perfumes disappear rapidly.

Jun 30 2009

nesca1502

This is almost the only oriental fragrances I like, it is sophisticated and elegant, its something I picture wearing to the opera, very classy. Love the bottle too.

Jun 07 2009

Robert White

You know, I wasn't crazy about this at first, but after having it for a while, I've really grown to like it. I've found the drydown to be fantastic...wish that I had a pure parfum version, because I have to spray a LOT of it on to appreciate it. But after that, the basenotes last all day, and I can smell the incense/resinous characteristics. It just goes to show how hard shopping for perfume can be.

Jun 04 2009

tessture

Incense and aldehydes with slightly soapy carnation, drying down to lovely, almost church-like incense. I really like this one. There's a stage that I can only think of as 80s purple, since it reminds me of many mid-80s fragrances, but overall the incense feeling carries it through. Very nice, very purple somehow.

May 30 2009

hathor

this to me is istanbul in a bottle!! it has something of east meeting west over the bosphorus. odd, but i get a hint of (clean) body sweat out of it. a lot of roses and a general feeling of something blue, which probably is emphasized by it coming out of such a wonderful blue bottle. i am amazed how many notes it contains. this is for me the last of the great rochas perfumes. very 80's i suppose, quite powerful, wouldnt be out of place on alexis carrington in her shoulder pads. i always think the 80's a much maligned decade but for me it was youth and freedom and i'll always smile when i remember this time. i'm interested to see that one of the base notes is heliotrope. i have discovered that several of my favourite perfumes contain heliotrope. this is ideal to wear in exotic surroundings of in warm summer weather in the evening.

May 20 2009

Annie_D

Very interesting scent, the verdict is still out on it for me. Some of the notes are quite strong on me like tuberose I also am not a fan of anise and of course, I smell it througout the entire scent(maybe because once I get it in my nose I can't get it out), some lemon is present. I think it is an acquired taste, and a little indulgent. But that may suit some people fine, just not me!

If you are interested in buying the perfume or looking to restock go to fragranceshop.com 1.7 $16.95 or 3.4 for $20.95.

Apr 23 2009

asilverfire614

This is one of those well-balanced that turns into something completely unidentifiable and indistinguishable regarding its notes...at least for me, that is! The only note I can distinguish at all is the tuberose.

For me, wearing Byzance is the equivalent of putting on a velvet scarf. It's very classy and distinctive and wraps itself around you like a soft glove. I love the fact that the powdery dry-down is subtle and not too sweet.

Apr 17 2009

Lime909

I have a half-used bottle standing in my cabinet. I neither love it nor hate it. It's one of those... I take out the bottle to wear it, but then change my mind in preference for something else.

I think I largely bought it for the bottle (which I do still find beautiful) but the fragrance is a little overly powdery sweet, imo.

It's okay for deep winter to warm you up!

Apr 01 2009

slamb

Lovely tuberose. Try this if Fracas (butter tuberose) is too buttery popcorn for you and if Knowing (mossy rose) is too strident in its high note. I wear it for daywear when I want a soft Knowing.The only drawback may be that Byzance is a little too powdery on the drydn. I am trying to get my husband to try this. The "guide" recommends this as a masculine, and I think that is a great idea.

Mar 01 2009

newgabe

Take it easy with Byzance.. this is a strong scent and would be easy to overdo. I virtually spritz and run do avoid a nose itching pungency in the opening.. and for a while I regretted buying it. But like many perfumes, after a holiday at the back of the dresser, it returns to favour, refreshed.

Feb 22 2009

guiwings

I had this one. For me it's a warm fragrance. It's, like description says, the essence of night. I just think in dance and seduction.

Feb 02 2009

VioletLily

Byzance feels like an Odalisque, dressed in fine silks of vibrant colours, draped over a lounge. Just like those ones in a Henri Matisse painting. Opulent. Ravishing. Exquisite.

I am so glad I tried this again! Many years ago, I used to spray Byzance on in department stores and sniff dreamily, but I never got around to owing it. Recently though, that striking blue flacon pulled me in (I could get lost in that gorgeous bottle, but that's another matter), so I spritzed some EDT on. A harsh soapiness at first. Spicy. A blend of bergamot, orange flower, jasmine and rose to my nose, but it's not obvious as any of those things. Also reminds me a little of Boucheron’s beginnings too, in its initial stage. But then, like Boucheron, Byzance blossoms into something beautiful…as sandalwood, amber, vanilla and musk come to the fore and it blooms into a sultry haze of softly spiced, deep golden warmth and musky joy. And surprisingly, not heavy at all. I feel so good wearing this. Simply stunning.

Jan 17 2009

Robert White

I was kind of disappointed in this...Turin describes it as an incense tuberose, but I just don't get that...it's got a creamy, lemony, smell, simultaneously soapy and edible, and definitely a powdery dry down. I don't smell any oakmoss in there...wonder why it's classified as a chypre in the Fragrantica description? I plan to keep wearing this as some fragrances just have to grow on you...it took me a while to like Bandit and now it's definitely one of my favorites. Tania Sanchez says it would make a great masculine, but I can't see most men wearing this.

Jan 04 2009

essija

I remember this as ok. Nothing great I remember I was wanting boucheron and got this by mistake but it was alright. I think I might even still have it somewhere...

Nov 03 2008

Malegria

It is very much like Salvador Dali, but softer, with lemony undertones. I was very pleased to smell a very earthy and natural cardamom, and also ylang ylang.It is too rich and heavy for an everyday use, so wait for a special occasion, put on your best black dress and your favorite pumps, some Byzance - and the world is yours.

Oct 18 2008

liat

Has a very unmistakable feel to it. Sharp at first but then softens into a powdery soft scent, very floral and baby like. I find it lovely.

Sep 19 2008

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